Onboard attitude determination for gun-launched projectiles

Abstract

Recent advances in low-cost sensing technology provide the capability for attitude determination on gun-launch projectiles. Complete attitude solutions using magnetometers with other navigational sensors such as angular rate sensors, accelerometers, and optical (sun) sensors are derived. Unlike traditional inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, magnetometers provide accurate measurements at much lower cost. The solutions presented fulfill the requirements of passive sensing, high-g survivability, small size, low cost, and low power, making them well suited for gun-launched projectiles.